North Carolina Aviation Museum officials recently conducted their third annual "Pearl Harbor Day Pancake Breakfast" for nearly 100 area veterans.

Several local businesses came together in support of the event including: Atkinson Milling Co. Distributor Donnie Edwards, Phillips Brothers Country Hams, Pet Dairy, Randolph Oil Company and Asheboro Kiwanis Club members.

The annual event is free to all veterans, and this year, just $3 for non-vets of all ages. The non-profit museum (featuring about 300 new items on display since July 2008) and the Bob Moon Museum Store were open for browsing throughout the breakfast.

The NCAM features a one-of-a-kind, unmodified "Flitfire" flown by Orville Wright in 1943; an S-56 Savoia Marchetti open-cockpit seaplane (one of two left in the world), like the one piloted by Smith Reynolds on his 6,000-mile, solo journey from London to Hong Kong in 1931-32, as well as a two-ton Mk-14 Torpedo Exhibit and Memorial Submarine Display.

Lining the walls is a huge collection of authentic military uniforms, equipment, weapons, as well as a myriad of memorabilia dating back as far as the late 1800s. There are also dozens of period newspapers, more than 100 pieces of aviation artwork and three research/viewing areas. Artifacts available for viewing include items from World War I, World War II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars - and even the Cold War.

The facility is located at 2222-G Pilot's View Rd., adjacent to the Asheboro Regional Airport. The NCAM website is www.ncairmuseum.org. The museum is currently operating under its Winter Schedule: Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1-5 p.m. For more information, call 625-0170 during normal business hours.